Using the pen tool to draft patterns in Adobe Illustrator - Digital pattern cutting tutorial

Part 4 in a series of tutorials that demonstrate digital pattern cutting in Adobe Illustrator.
Watch the tutorial & get downloadable content here: patternlab.london/home/projec...
In manual paper pattern cutting, we use a ruler to draw straight lines and a Pattern master or French curves to draw curved lines. But how do we translate this to digital pattern cutting in Adobe Illustrator? Simple, we use the Pen tool and all of its derivative options to seamlessly draw curves and lines. In this tutorial, we show you how to use these fun tools to start adding design elements to your blocks such as necklines or dividing your block into panels.
Patternlab.London is a software application that automatically drafts custom fitting; dress, bodice, trouser, skirt basic blocks and Slopers in minutes using your own custom measurements. We also offer free tutorials on pattern cutting allowing you to turn your basic blocks into hundreds of different designs that accurately fit your body.
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[@steph-cv7lj]

your video really helped me figure out how to properly draw curved lines! thank you so much

[@PatternLabLondon]

No problem at all. I'm really glad it helped! Good luck with your project.

[@nihalyusifova1582]

Thanks it's helpful 😊

[@PatternLabLondon]

Happy to help

[@DesignersCafe]

Thanks 😊

[@PatternLabLondon]

You're welcome!

[@user-el8vg6db6f]

thank youuuuuuuuu

[@PatternLabLondon]

No worries!

[@illustrationsbysophiajude5361]

Thanks so much for all you do. Please is there a tutorial on how to draft the bodices from scratch

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi Linda, thanks for your comment, unfortunately we do not share how we draft our made to measure blocks in Adobe Illustrator. However, you can use PatternLab.london to draft a made to measure block, that fits your unique measurements, automatically and in minutes.

[@FunUnlimitedARAS]

All videos very helpful. Have you any videos for hoodie pattern ?

[@PatternLabLondon]

Unfortunately, not yet.

[@Aryamoony]

Hi thank you for the video. I am trying to draft a pattern . everything seems ok, I save it as pdf. then I open it with a pdf reader. When I try to print it with the pdf reader the lines instead of curves are printed as curves with angles. Also one part of the seam allowance becomes of a different distance... How come it happens? :O

[@PatternLabLondon]

I think we had a direct conversion about this topic the other day? We managed to solve it! Let me know if this is still an issue?

[@londonjacks8371]

How can I create a PDF pattern from a cardboard template pattern? could it be scanned into adobe on an iPad? Thanks

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi Jacks. Thanks for your comment. I don't think you could scan it using an ipad. You'd need to scan it using a flatbed scanner. We have a tutorial that shows you how to transform your paper or cardboard pattern into a digital pattern. You can view it here: patternlab.london/home/project/digitising-paper-sewing-patterns/

[@londonjacks8371]

@@PatternLabLondon thanks I’ll watch that. 👍

[@xiaomi198]

Sir how do we make digital curve rulers in illustrator ?

[@PatternLabLondon]

You mean like a digital "Pattern Master" - www.amazon.es/HAND-Patr%C3%B3n-pl%C3%A1stico-Marcado-Ruler/dp/B00B90F3R0?

[@xiaomi198]

@@PatternLabLondon Yes sir thats what i mean, i saw people have digital rulers to check if the curves are correct.

[@missjsews]

Thanks for this tutorial!! I love your teaching style. I’m new to illustrator. The point that you have in your key, how could I reproduce that if I don’t use your cutting table please? In addition, my pen lines are disappearing after I draw them and the anchor point tool fails to work. I get an error telling me to use the add anchor point tool on a segment of a path??? Because I’m having these issues, I can’t get the benefit of your next class on grouping. Should I persevere or try one of your other classes? I’m feeling somewhat defeated. Thanks!

[@PatternLabLondon]

You're very welcome! I'm glad you are enjoying the tutorials. - You can create a new point, by selecting the ellipse tool (left side bar). Click anywhere on the page. A dialogue box will appear. Enter 0.8cm into the width and height. Click Ok. This will create a circular point. Select the text tool (left side bar) a click next to the circle. Type a "0". Using the black selection tool, click and drag over the circle and text elements. Click object (top menu) then "Group". This will create a point with number, that you can copy and paste many times or move it using the move tool. - If your pen lines are disappearing, give them a stroke width. Click on the stroke tool (right side bar) enter 1pt or 2pt into the stroke width box. - It sounds like your lines have only two end points. To create curves using that line, select the end point of that line to curve it. You can also adda point to your line using the add point tool. You can then click on that new point and use it to curve the line. - I would recommend restarting the tutorial and try the steps a few more times. Good luck with your project!

[@missjsews]

​@@PatternLabLondon Oh thanks for taking the time out to write such a detailed reply! I appreciate your help. I will try these out later tonight and I intend to check out your other tutorials.👍😀

[@SifuKitaro]

i'm looking for how to copy from ur hand drawing pattern to digital for actual size..do u have a video on how to do that?

[@PatternLabLondon]

Hi Sifu.... You're not the first person to ask for this. We're currently working on that tutorial and should have it online in the next or so. Keep an eye on our Instagram account to get updates! @patternlabldn

[@SifuKitaro]

@@PatternLabLondon I'am so excited🤓🤓🤓..tq so much for ur reply😍

[@anuradhasethi6040]

do you work with only womens wear?

[@PatternLabLondon]

Anuradha Sethi at this point, yes. We will be adding menswear and children's wear block in the future but we have no defined timeline for this as yet.